Choosing between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 13 mini can be challenging, especially for those seeking a powerful, compact, and budget-friendly smartphone. Both models offer impressive performance in a sleek, pocket-sized design and are compatible with the latest iOS 18. This article will help you navigate the subtle differences in performance, camera capabilities, and battery life to determine which model best fits you.
Table of contents
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone 13 mini at a glance
| Feature | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED (625 nits) | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED (800 nits) |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
| CPU | A14 Bionic chip | A15 Bionic chip |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Max OS compatibility | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Storage options | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear cameras | Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) | Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) with Sensor-Shift OIS |
| Front camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Video recording | 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240fps | 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240fps |
| Night Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Deep Fusion | Yes | Yes |
| Smart HDR | Smart HDR 3 | Smart HDR 4 |
| Photographic Styles | No | Yes |
| Cinematic Mode | No | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 17 hours of video playback | Up to 17 hours of video playback |
| 5G connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| MagSafe compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | IP68 (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes) |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 inches 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.30 inches 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm |
| Weight | 4.76 ounces 135 grams | 4.97 ounces 141 grams |
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Purple | Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Pink, Red, Green |
| Original price | $629 | $729 |
| Price (refurbished) | Starting at | Starting at |
Reasons to choose the iPhone 12 mini
64GB storage
White
64GB storage
Black
- Lower starting price
- Similar design and display
- Same compact size
- Excellent performance with A14 chip
- Great camera capabilities
Reasons to choose the iPhone 13 mini
128GB storage
Red
128GB storage
Pink
128GB storage
Blue
- Better battery life
- Improved performance with A15 chip
- Enhanced camera features
- Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode
- More storage options
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone 13 mini: All the differences
In this section, we delve into the detailed differences between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 13 mini, highlighting the key upgrades and improvements that set them apart. Whether you’re curious about performance boosts, camera enhancements, or battery life, we’ve got you covered.
Design
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini share a sleek and compact design. They feature flat edges made from aerospace-grade aluminum and a Ceramic Shield front cover for exceptional durability. Both models have the iconic notch at the top of the screen, which houses the TrueDepth camera system and sensors required for Face ID facial recognition.
Despite their compact dimensions of 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 inches, both devices feel solid and premium in hand. The weight difference is barely noticeable, with the iPhone 13 mini being slightly heavier (4.97 ounces) than the iPhone 12 mini (4.76 ounces) due to its larger battery.
Additionally, while the iPhone 12 mini comes in a variety of colors, including Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple, the iPhone 13 mini offers new shades like Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Pink, Red, and Green.
Display
While both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini have the same 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, there’s a subtle yet significant difference in their brightness.
The iPhone 13 mini boasts a peak brightness of 800 nits compared to the 12 mini’s 625 nits. This means that the iPhone 13 mini’s display is noticeably brighter, especially in outdoor conditions, making it easier to read and view content under direct sunlight.
Both displays offer exceptional color accuracy, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios, providing a visually stunning experience for watching videos, playing games, or simply browsing through photos.
Additionally, they both feature True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the display’s white balance to match the ambient lighting, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience regardless of the environment.
Performance
The iPhone 13 mini performs better than the iPhone 12 mini thanks to its A15 Bionic chip, which is a generation newer than the A14 Bionic found in the 12 mini. This translates to faster CPU and GPU speeds, enabling smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and improved gaming performance.
While both phones easily handle everyday tasks, the iPhone 13 mini’s superior processing power becomes more evident when tackling demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or augmented reality applications. The A15 Bionic chip also offers better power efficiency, contributing to the 13 mini’s longer battery life.
The iPhone 13 Mini also comes with 4GB of RAM, the same as the 12 mini. However, the A15 Bionic chip includes a more advanced Neural Engine, which improves machine learning capabilities and supports new features such as Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode in the camera system.
Cameras
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini feature a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lens. However, the iPhone 13 mini introduces several enhancements that set it apart.
The iPhone 13 mini’s wide camera has a new sensor that captures 47% more light, significantly improving low-light performance. This sensor also benefits from sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS), providing steadier shots and videos.
Additionally, while the ultra-wide cameras in both models have the same aperture, the iPhone 13 mini’s version captures more detail in darker areas.
In terms of software, the iPhone 13 mini includes new features such as Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode. Photographic Styles allow users to customize the look of their photos with different color tones and contrasts. At the same time, Cinematic Mode provides a video bokeh effect, automatically switching focus between subjects in real time.
Battery life and charging
One of the most significant improvements in the iPhone 13 mini is its battery life. Thanks to a slightly larger battery (2438 mAh vs. 2227 mAh) and the improved power efficiency of the A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 13 mini offers a noticeable improvement in battery life compared to the iPhone 12 mini.
Apple claims that the iPhone 13 mini can last up to 17 hours of video playback, a 2-hour increase over the iPhone 12 mini’s 15 hours. In real-world usage, this translates to a full day of moderate to heavy usage without needing to recharge.
Both phones support fast charging up to 20W with a compatible charger, allowing you to charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes. They also support MagSafe wireless charging and Qi wireless charging.
Conclusion
To sum up:
👉 Choose the iPhone 12 mini if you want a powerful, compact smartphone at a lower starting price with excellent performance and camera capabilities.
👉 Opt for the iPhone 13 mini if you desire enhanced battery life, improved performance with the A15 chip, and advanced camera features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic Mode.
To get the best possible deal, consider exploring refurbished options through RefurbMe. This platform allows you to compare prices and features from multiple reputable sellers, ensuring you find a perfectly working iPhone with a warranty at a discounted price.
Check all refurbished iPhones in real time here. 👇
64GB storage
Black
64GB storage
Black
Happy shopping! 🛍️
🆚 Explore more reviews:
